Soul Calibur 2 Guard Impact FAQ
By Skyrax (skyrax@yahoo.com)
v0.1
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UPDATE HISTORY
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0.1: Initial draft
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CONTENTS
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1. Introduction
2. Legend
3. Guard Impact Move List
-Assassin
-Astaroth
-Berserker
-Cassandra
-Cervantes
-Ivy
-Kilik
-Lizardman
-Maxi
-Mitsurugi
-Nightmare
-Raphael
-Seung Mina
-Sophitia
-Taki
-Talim
-Voldo
-Xianghua
-Yoshimitsu
-Yunsung
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Credits/ Legal Info
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1.INTRODUCTION
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-Why write a Guard Impact FAQ?
Because the game does a lousy job of telling you what the Guard Impact (GI)
Moves actually work against, leading to annoying hours of trial and error to
see what works and what doesn’t.
-Notes on Guard Impact Moves
----------------------------
-What is a Guard Impact?
Guard Impact refers to the knocking away of an opponent’s weapon to leave them
open to attack. Guard Impacts can only be successful when the opponent is about
to attack.
There are two types of Guard Impacts: Repels and Parries. A repel is a GI that
pushes the opponent back while the opponent steps forward. A parry is a GI that
redirects the opponent to the side, leaving their sides wide open. Repels are
performed by pressing 6G and are effective against high and mid-level attacks,
while Parries are performed with 4G and are effective against mid- and
low-level attacks.
- What are Guard Impact Moves?
Guard Impact Moves are attack moves that have a built in GI capability. GI
Moves only GI for a brief moment: the GI moment is evident when the weapon or
limb flashes purple. Most GI Moves are of the repel variety, though there are a
few parry GI Moves.
-What is Counter-GI?
When an opponent is GI’ed, they are unable to do anything EXCEPT GI. This means
that successfully GI’ing a move does NOT guarantee free damage. A smart
opponent will GI your move right back, and if you are not wary you will be left
WIDE open. This cycle can be repeated indefinitely or until someone falls
asleep.
Important Note: Guard Impact Moves can be counter-GI’ed if there is enough time
left to do so. GI Moves typically hit so fast after a GI that most people never
even think to try it. The exception to this is IF the move changes properties.
Then it becomes an inescapable throw.
Other Notes: Moves that GI Horizontals will repel high- and mid-level
horizontals, but not low-level horizontals. Moves that repel verticals also
repel high, mid-level verticals and some low verticals. Special Mid-level
attacks can be either, if they qualify. Be careful.
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2.LEGEND
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You see your numeric pad often indicated on the right side of keyboard? Well
if you cannot see your number for some reason, here is another way to know what
I'm talking about.
7 8 9 7 = up+back 8 = up 9 = up+forward
4 5 6 4 = back 5 = neutral 6 = forward
1 2 3 1 = down+back 2 = down 3 = down+forward
A = Horizontal
B = Vertical
K = Kick
G = Guard
INPUT METHODS
WC/FC = while crouching / fully crouched
WR/WS = while rising / while standing
8WR = 8-way Run
+ = simultaneous input (i.e. A+B, B+K)
~ = slide input (accompanied by small letters, a~B, b~B, a~K, etc.)
( ) = optional input
[ ] = hold button
* = can be delayed
_ = OR (as in either this direction OR that direction).
HIT CATEGORIES
L = low attack
M = mid attack
H = high attack
SM = special mid attack (can be blocked high or low)
GI = guard impact with types of attacks specified
SCUB = unblockable upon full (blue) Soul Charge
? = Unknown/ has no ATTACK property
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3. GUARD IMPACT MOVELIST
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Assassin
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-6A+B:
Property: M, M
GIs: Verticals and high Horizontals
This move has a very short GI frame. When Assassin waves the weapon high
(shortly after starting the move) is when the move will GI.
-3B+K:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
This move GIs at the beginning, when Assassin crouches low to the ground.
Astaroth:
---------
-6B+K:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
The move will only GI when Astaroth’s chest glows purple. It will repel jumping
verticals too like Seung Mina’s 9B+K.
Berserker:
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-6B+K:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
This move is identical to Astaroth’s and as such shares the same quality.
Cassandra:
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-4A:
Property: H
GIs: Horizontals
She will GI only if the shield is hit, so if you wait until she strikes with
her sword you are too late. This move’s property changes on a successful GI.
-4B:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
This move also changes property when successfully GI’ed. However, remember two
things: even on a successful counter, the counterattack can MISS if the
opponent is far enough away, like with Nightmare, Astaroth and Ivy, and you can
ring yourself out with the counter, as Cassandra jumps back during the
beginning of the move.
-214G:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
This move is troublesome to get off if all you want to do is the counter, but
as a mixup it’s invaluable if your opponent is a predictable vertical abuser.
This also changes property on success
-FC 3BB:
Property: SM, M
GIs: Verticals
The move has a rather small range, and also changes property on successful GI.
The GI window is tricky to utilize.
Cervantes:
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-A+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
This is quite familiar to all who use Cervantes, even if they never use it. The
GI window is quite large.
-B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
This move can miss if the opponent is far enough away, like Ivy. The GI window
is also relatively sizeable.
-8WR 3_9A:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
This move will GI when Cervantes holds his smaller blade out upside down.
-8WR 2_8K:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
This move looks like it has a large window, but getting it to work may be
tricky.
Heihachi:
---------
-A+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
This move has a large window and is fairly easy to perform. It also Soul
Charges Heihachi allowing him to pull of 10-hitters if you desire.
Ivy:
----
-4A+B:
Property: MMM
GIs: Horizontals
This move GIs quite easily and has good range.
-B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
There is no counterattack after this move, it simply allows you to change
stances.
-WR B+K:
Property: MMM
GIs: Horizontals and Verticals
This move only GIs at the beginning, so you can still be attacked as she stops
spinning.
Kilik:
------
-236:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
The GI window is large relative to the move, but the move itself is a quick
one. The move has several follow-ups, but nothing GI-specific.
-214:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
The move tends to work better when deflecting overhead verticals rather than
underhand verticals.
-B~K:
Property: H,M
GIs: Horizontals
The move will only GI with his foot, not the staff.
-4KB:
Property: M,M
GIs: Horizontals
The move GI’s with the initial spin of the staff BEFORE Kilik kicks. The actual
kick does not GI this time.
Lizardman:
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Nothing(!?!) More research may need to be done, but thus far he has nothing.
Even his FC 3BB doesn’t GI like Cassandra’s despite them being virtually
identical.
Maxi:
-----
Nothing (?!) Can’t find anything for Maxi either. If you do, send it in.
Mitsurugi:
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-A6_4A+K:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
This move is tricky to GI with, as it has to hit fairly close since Mitsurugi
GIs very close to his body.
-4B+K:
Property: H
GIs: Horizontals
You need some space for this to work, as Mitsurugi GIs with his sheath, which
he sticks out at arms length.
-Mist A+B:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals, Verticals and Kicks
Yes, this move GI’s everything you throw at him as he steps forward for the
slash. However, the move has a small GI window (as he leans back and winds up).
-Relic A+B+K_6G:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals and Kicks
This move will change property on a successful GI. After the hits, Mitsurugi
will exit Relic stance.
Necrid:
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-1A+B:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
The move will only GI when Necrid motions with his right hand. The rest of the
move has a purplish trail but does not GI.
-8WR 2_8K:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
The move has the exact same properties as Cervantes’ version, including the
trickiness of actually getting it to GI.
Nightmare:
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-3A:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
This move switches properties on a successful hit. It GIs when Nightmare is
bringing his hand out. Once his hand is halfway raised up, it will no longer GI.
-44K 3A: horizontals (second hit).
Same as 3A, just occurs after 44K.
-Night Lower Stance K:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
This move GIs when Nightmare places his sword into the ground for leverage as
he rises up for the uppercut. The uppercut itself does NOT GI.
Raphael:
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-A+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
This is an autoevade. It does not deflect the attack, but leaves the opponent
open. It has follow-ups.
-B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
This is also an autoevade, and it too has follow-ups.
-1A+B:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
The move GIs during the first half of the spinning blade.
-9A+B:
Property: H,M
GIs: Horizontals
This move GIs shortly after the move begins, but before the move actually
strikes.
-Prep I_Prep II_214B:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
The move has a decent GI window, but it has a while before and after the GI
frames where it does nothing.
-Prep II_Prep III_Prep IV A:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
This move parries on successful GI. It also allows for the usual Prep
follow-ups without overtly interrupting the flow.
Seung Mina:
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-B~K:
Property: H,M
GIs: Horizontals and Kicks
The move will only GI with her foot, not the staff. The GI window is quite
good, but the timing is tight.
-4KB:
Property: M,M
GIs: Horizontals
The move GI’s with the initial spin of the staff BEFORE Seung Mina kicks. The
actual kick does not GI this time.
-6K:
Property: M
GIs: Overhead verticals
The actual GI comes from the blade of Seung Mina’s zanbatou, not the staff
portion. It is almost imperceptible though, and the window is very small. Since
she places the staff above her, it only works on tall people like Astaroth or
jumping verticals like Seung Mina’s 9B+K.
Sophitia:
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-A+B:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
Taki:
-----
Nothing(!!?) either. Hmm…
Talim:
------
-BT A+K:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
The move has a little bit of windup before it actually GIs.
-BT B+K:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals and Kicks
The move also has some windup, but it seems to be shorter than that of BT A+K.
Voldo:
------
-B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals, Verticals and Kicks
This is also an autoevade. It has a very large window.
-6B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: High Horizontals and Kicks
Also an autoevade. It’s more specialized so the window is smaller.
-4B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
This is also a specialized autoevade.
-2_8B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
As is this one.
-FC B+K:
Property: M
GIs: Low Horizontals and Kicks
This is an EXTREMELY specialized autoevade, as it avoids only a very specific
kind of attack.
-Mantis Crawl [B+K]:
Property: M
GIs: Overhead Verticals
This one takes a while to execute, but it has a very large window once
executed. It also uses his ENTIRE body for the GI.
Xianghua:
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-8WR 2_8B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals and Kicks
This move may be able to GI verticals, but the initial sidestep at the start of
the motion often places it out of range to try it.
-4A+B:
Property: M,M
GIs: Horizontals
The move GIs at the beginning, shortly after Xianghua steps sideways.
-66B_BB~4:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
The move is hard to effectively GI with, but it if it connects it brings the
opponent closer to Xianghua despite how it looks.
-44B~4:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
Same as above.
-66B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Horizontals
The move has a fairly large GI window, but offers no immediate follow-ups.
-44B+K:
Property: ?
GIs: Verticals
The GI window is fairly decent, but still no follow-ups.
-B~A:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals
The window is small (just as Xianghua raises her sword above her head) but the
move itself is fairly fast and allows a little lax in timing.
Yoshimitsu:
-----------
-A+K:
Property: M
GIs: Horizontals, Verticals and Kicks
This move by itself damages too, but on GI will only repel UNLESS it is a deep
hit. Yoshimitsu has to be standing VERY close to his opponent to cause post-GI
damage.
Yunsung:
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-WS_6A+B:
Property: M,M
GIs: Horizontals
This move has a very short GI frame. When Yunsung waves the weapon high(shortly
after starting the move) is when the move will GI.
-4A+B:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
This move GIs at the beginning, when Yunsung is crouched low to the ground.
-Crane A+B:
Property: M
GIs: Verticals
The move GIs when Yunsung rears back slightly before slashing down.
=======================================================================
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
=======================================================================
Q: Why do certain characters have no GI moves?
A: Beats me. I didn’t program them.
Q: Can I GI unblockables?
A: No, you can not. You can, however, GI moves that become unblockable by Soul
Charging. So you can GI Nightmare’s 66B after it has been Soul Charged to be
unblockable, but you can’t GI Nightmare’s 236B.
Q: How about throws?
A: You can GI throws but it is DEPENDENT on the buttons used for the throw.
Technically, you can GI a B-button throw with a Vertical parry, and an A-button
throw with a Horizontal Parry. But good luck guessing which is which.
Q: I thought (insert name here) had a GI move off (insert move here) in Soul
Calibur 1?
A: Move properties have been changed. For example, Kilik’s 4[B] used to GI
verticals, and Sophitia could also deflect verticals with her A+B move. But it
would seem that that has changed.
=======================================================================
CREDITS/LEGAL INFO
=======================================================================
Copyright 2003 Afolabiyi Okubanjo (Team Sky City). This FAQ and everything
included within this file cannot be reproduced in any way, shape or form
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created and is owned by me, Afolabiyi Okubanjo. All copyrights and trademarks
are acknowledged and respected that are not specifically mentioned in this FAQ.